Charges being sought in animal cruelty cases

Dogs were taken to Thumb Animal Shelter

HURON COUNTY — Charges are likely to be sought against individuals in connection with two recent animal cruelty cases.

The two cases took place over the course of two days and involved a total of five dogs.

According to the Huron County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called just after 8 a.m. Monday, to a residence on Moeller Road in Huron Township, after an anonymous tip was received about four dogs not having proper food, housing or care.

"Sgt. Hunt arrived at the residence to find all dogs separately chained, with one dog laying in a wide open plastic piece of what may have been part of a dog house, with little bedding and shivering in the below zero-degree weather," a news release from Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson states.

Another dog was found with a dog house that had openings where the wind could pass directly through, and another dog believed to be pregnant was found with a chain too short that it couldn't get into its house.

The fourth dog was found having a decent dog house, but all four had no food or water.

A veterinarian was called to the scene to assess the animals' physical conditions. One was considered to be severely malnourished and in poor health, and two others were also found to be malnourished.

All four dogs were then taken to the Thumb Animal Shelter. Later that night, it was reported the pregnant dog gave birth to five puppies.

"It is believed the puppies would have never survived if mother would have had to remain outside last night," said Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson.

The homeowners were not around at the time of the incident. At around 4 p.m. Monday, one of the residents of the home was located by telephone, and an interview with her and another resident is expected to take place soon, with criminal charges likely to be sought.

The second incident occurred around 2 p.m. Sunday, where deputies were dispatched to the Verona Township area, to contact four individuals who said to have witnessed a man beating a hunting dog with a piece of garden hose, before throwing the dog against the side of a pickup box.

After looking into the incident deputies were eventually able to make contact with the 62-year-old Ubly man. A discussion took place and the dog was checked on and found to be doing well, not appearing to need any medical attention.

Deputies will be consulting with the Huron County Prosecutor's Office about possible charges in that case.

"Pet owners finding themselves running out of patience with their pets, or maybe not having the time or resources to take care of them, are strongly encouraged to find someone who does," said the sheriff's office statement. "Beating them at an extreme level or leaving them to fend for themselves with limitations at that during extreme cold is not acceptable."

Pet owners unable to properly care for their animals can call the Thumb Animal Shelter at 989-375-4204 for assistance.